Starter



Sept. 11, 1956 c. R. HARRIS common FOR THE OPERATION OF ROVING- FRAMESOriginal Filed Nov. 22, 1950 FIG.2

MOTOR STARTER United States Patent 24,212 CONTROL FOR THE OPERATION OFROVING FRAMES Charles R. Harris, Charlotte, N. C. asslgnor to PneumadlCorporation, Charlotte, N. C., a corporation of Delaware Original No. 2104 430 dated Mmh zz 195s, sflhl No. 191,100, Noveniber zz, 1950.Application for rellue June 14, 1955, Serial No. 515,569

'14 Claims. (CI. 57-41).

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets If] appears in the o nal patent hutforms no part of this reissue speclfl' ca on; matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to roving frames employed in textile mills and,more particularly, to methods of and means for stopping operations whena [sliver] roving is broken, and safely resuming operations after the Ibroken [sliver] roving has been pieced up.

Various methods have heretofore been proposed for stopping the operationof a roving frame when a [sliver] roving breaks but these have beenimpractical or faulty in operation because speedy stopping of themachine was dependent upon pressure responsive mechanism incapable ofresponding, substantially instantaneously as required, to the slightor'small change in pressure conditions brought about by the broken[sliver] roving. In addition, resumption of operations subsequent topiecing up caused renewed application of suction and this often producedsudden tension which resulted in additional [sliver] roving breakage orundesirable strain upon the repaired [sliver] roving.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a method of operationwherein the roving frame is promptly stopped upon the breakage of a[sliver] roving before the broken end tangles with adjacent [slivers]rovings, and the frame started subsequent to piecing up under conditionsassuring satisfactory resumption of the winding operation.

A feature of theinvention consists in providing a sensitive detectingmechanism, whose sensitivity may be controlled as desired, to actuate acontrol governing the driving mechanism to stop the same substantiallyinstantaneously whenever a [sliver] roving on a. roving frame becomesbroken. It will be understood the frame may be permitted to "coast to astop.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing a suction tube orflute orifice positioned proximate the course of travel of a [sliver]roving frame, said tube being arranged to suck into its [mouth] orificethe broken end of a [sliver] roving, and a passageway connected to thetube having therein a sensitive detecting device so that the entrance ofthe broken end of a [sliver] roving from the tube into the passagewayand its passage through the passageway will cause said device to actuatea control for stopping the operation of the roving frame.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing a suction tube orflute orifice adjacent the course of travel of a [sliver] roving on aroving frame, a passageway connecting to the tube, a sensitive devicewithin the passageway operated responsive to the entrance of a broken[sliver] roving into the passageway, a mechanism actuated by the deviceto stop the operation of the roving frame, and a control for timing theresumption of suction effect on said tube after operation of the rovingframe is resumed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, andrelatively inexpensive combination of apparatus designed to beassociated with and installed on a roving frame, so that no redesign inthe frame'ia required, and yet a positive regulation is afforded to stopthe operation of the roving frame upon breakage of any [sliver] rovingfed to a flyer.

Another feature consists in providing a compact system "of controladapted to be assembled'at a point of fabrication and then simply andinexpensively installed on' a roving frame in a mill remote from thepoint of assembly.

Other features making for simplicity in design, sensitivity in detectionof broken [slivers] rovings, and reliability in operation to avoid lossof time or material and assure maximum production with optimum regardfor quality, will be more apparent from the following description of atypical form of the invention to be read together with the accompanyingillustrative drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical arrangement of a section through a rovingframe equipped with one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical arrangement, in plan view of applicantsmechanism, more particularly designed to show the location of thesensitive detection device, and

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram [diagrammatic] showing the interconnection ofcontrols employed to carry out the invention.

Considering the drawings, similar designations referring to similarparts, numeral 5 designates a sliver can from which sliver 6 is slowlyfed, in the manner well known to those skilled in the art, to the usuallifting roll 7, and then proceeds in a course through drafting area 8.In Fig. 1, upper and lower drafting rolls, designated 9 and 10respectively, are shown and-the sliver emerges as roving 11, thenproceeding through flyer 12 to collecting bobbin 13. The foregoingdescribes the normal course of a sliver on a roving frame and theproduction of the final product of roving.

The normal roving frame feeds a great number of slivers, on the order of[96 to 72 to I 80, depending upon the type and size frame employed. Whena roving end breaks, it is not unusual for the broken end to be whippedabout and soon become entangled with adjacent/ roving ends to break themand produce a mass of twisted and useless material, causing considerableloss if not promptly detected by an operator. Since it is not uncommonfor several roving frames to be. tended by one operator, it is oftenimpossible to stop a frame, after such breakage and entanglement begins,until the loss is considerable. The operator, upon stopping the frame,

must then not only remove the spoiled material but is confronted withthe job of piecing up a great number of broken ends.

Applicant avoids this waste of time and material by providing a simpleand efiective mechanism for watching each roving end and promptlystopping the frame should an end become broken.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a collecting header orduct 14 is provided which runs lengthwise of the frame. This may be ofsheet metal, of any desirable construction, and may be attached to therear of the frame, as for example to the shipper rod castings. Theintake end ofduct 14 connects to a fan casing 15 preferably divided intocollecting chamber 16 separated from fan chamber 17 by a lint separatingscreen 18. A fan, not shown, preferably of the impeller type is suitablyhoused in chamber 17. Suction tubes 19 are suitably connected to header14 and are spaced along the length of the header so that each roving endis served by an individual tube or flute orifice whose open or suctionend 20 is located beneath and spaced approxi- Reiasued Sept. 11, 1956 Iupon the size of the tube, the suction, and size of roving, it may bedesirable to space end 20 closer to or farther away from the course oftravel of roving 11, and the 2" space mentioned is illustrative of onearrangement successfully used by applicant, to which he is not limited.

The suction tubes 19 connect with header 14 at points 19a [19A] whichmay be at or any desired distance above the bottom of the header. Thesuction tubes preferably are supported by and rest directly upon theroller beams except that the opposite end of each tube is preferablyinclined or curved upwardly toward the path of travel of roving 11. Forexample, the tube may be swivelled at point 19b [19B] so that suctionend 20 may be adjusted as desired to point directly at its companionstrand of roving.

Positioned within header 14 between the first suction tube closest tocollecting chamber 16 and the chamber itself is installed a detectingand control device such as type RRll register regulator of theWestinghouse Electric Corporation.

In practice, a beam of light 21, of'desired intensity, from a lightsource22 acts upon photoelectric tube 23. Under normal conditions, theintensity of light acting upon tube 23 will remain substantiallyconstant. However, assuming a broken end of roving crosses the beam oflight, then a change in intensity will occur whereupon tube 23 willinstantaneously react to bring about a stopping of the frame, as willsubsequently be described in detail.

The fan employed in chamber 17 is of such design and is driven at suchspeed that a pressure is produced suflicient. to create required suctionthroughout the length of header 14 so that a broken end of roving 11will readily be sucked within suction end 20 of its companion tube 19.Thus, it will not be whipped around and cause damage. The end willrapidly enter header 14, and proceed to chamber 16 passing through lightbeam 21. The variation in light intensity resulting from the passage ofthe broken end through the light beam will actuate tube 23 to cause thedriving mechanism of the machine (machine) to be stopped. All thisoccurs substantially instantaneously. The frame may coast to a stop. Theoperator will promptly note the signal, hereinafter explained, which isflashed when the machine stops and repair the break. Then he will startthe machine by a shift of the shipper rod in the usual manner whereuponthe driving motor for the roving frame will commence to run. [HoweverflIt will be understood that the suction in header 14 and tubes 19 neednot be discontinued when the roving frame is stopped. Preferably, thesuction is discontinued, however, so that suction in header 14 and tubes19 will not take place upon the restarting of the frame. It is [highly]undesirable to have any suction produced before'the repaired roving hashad a chance to become tightly wound about the bobbin and unimpairedroving, in taut condition, brought forward. Accordingly, after themachine has resumed normal operation for a short, predetermined period,when suction can no longer pull upon slack roving, applicant providesfor restoration of suction in the tubes 20 and duct 14. This isaccomplished by a suitable time delay control which serves to put thefan in operation a predetermined period subsequent to resumption of theoperation of the frame itself.

The control arrangement employed to produce the desired sequence ofoperations is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3. A suitable source ofcurrent, usually on the order of 3 phase, 550 volts, is indicated byleads 24, serving motor starter 25 serving motor 26 of the roving frame.It will be understood that a control switch and any desired sideequipment will be furnished and installed in the usual manner. Leads 27feed control arrangement 28 consisting of starter 29 and time delayrelay 30. This relay is of the type exemplified by model AM time delayrelay of Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

In practice, time delay relay 30 will cause a lag of a predeterminedperiod, for example 10 seconds after motor 26 has started, beforestarter 29- is actuated to control motor 31 operating the fan in chamber17.

Leads 32 serve register regulator 33 which governs light source 22 andphotoelectric tube 23 before described.

Leads 34 connected to reset relay 3? serve to restore normal functioningof register regulator 33 after interruption of service. Signal light 36is arranged to flash when the register regulator is actuated,upon aninter-'- ruption in service, and the light circuit is broken by theregister regulator when it is restored to normal condition; except thatreset relay 35 will serve to maintain the light in flashing conditionuntil the roving frame shipper rod handle isactuated to close thecircuit for roving frame motor 26.

In practice, the control arrangement shown in Fig. 3 may, with theexception of signal light 36, be mounted and arranged compactly incombination with a single panel at one end of the frame.

When a strand of roving breaks, the passage of the broken end into theduct 14 and through light beam 21 will cause a variation in intensitywhich actuates regulator 33 to break the circuit serving motor 26. Thisis the first step. Then, after the operator has repaired the break andshifted the shipper rod to start motor 26, by which time registerregulator has restored itself, the time delay relay 30 keeps fan motor31 from functioning for a predetermined period. This is step No. 2. Whenthe time delay relay, after the desired interval, permits starter 29 tofunction so that the fan motor starts and pulls a suction of duct 14 andtubes 20, step 3 takes place to assure safe resumption of operation.This three step mode of operation has never before been employed toassure prompt cessation of operations, with minimum loss of time andmaterial, and safe resumption after repair.

The employment of register regulator 33 aflords a wide range ofsensitivity so that a' slight light change or variation in lightintensity responsve to the rapid passage of so flimsy a material as adisintegrating speck of fiber will be suflicient to produce theinstantaneous action required to stop the frame. Previous attempts tosolve the problem which required relatively large differences inpressure or the accumulation of masses of material for positiveactuation of stopping mechanism are impractical since they lacked bothsensitivity and prompt relief to avoid damaging losses. Applicantsability to adjust the regulator enables extremely accurate control sothat a small and slender roving end slight in body, weight or mass, willstill bring about instantaneous response.

Since the drawings are intended to illustrate a typical assembly ofelements to accomplish applicant's improved result, it will be obviousthat various modifications in manner of application upon the frame, inpositioning of parts, and in provisi on of controls, will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and applicant therefore does notlimit himself to the specific arrangement disclosed except as specifiedin the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A method of controlling the operation of a roving frame whichcomprises applying suction force adjacent the path of travel of therovings, said suction force being sufficient to cause entrapment andtravel of a broken strand of roving to a field of detection at adistance from the point of application of said suction force, said fieldof detection being responsive to said broken strand to stop operation ofthe roving frame and immediately thereafter stop application of thesuction force, thereafter causing the frame to be restarted after repairof the broken strand while preventing application of said suction forcefor a predetermined interval of time after operation of the frame hasbeen restarted, and re-applying said suction force at the termination ofsaid predetermined interval of'time.

2. A method of operating a roving frame which comprises applying suctionforce at a point adjacent the path of travel of a strand of roving, saidforce being sufficient to draw the end of the strand, in the event ofbreakage thereof, into a confined zone and to convey it through anelectrical field of detection at a point remote from the point ofapplication of said suction force, said field ofgetection beingresponsive to the passage of said brok strand therethrough to stop theoperation of the roving frame and the application of said suction force,restarting the roving frame after the broken strand is repaired, whilepreventing application of said suction force .for a predeterminedinterval of time after said operation of the frame has been restarted,and re-applying said suction force at the termination of saidpredetermined interval of time.

3. A method of operating a roving frame which cony prises applying asuction force at a point adjacent thepath of travel of a strand ofroving, said force being sufficient to draw the end of the strand, inthe event of breakage thereof, into a confined zone and away from other,unbroken, strands, and to convey it through a field of detection remotefrom the point of application of said suction force and operative tocause the frame and the application of said suction force to be stoppedsubstantially immediately after the broken strand passes into said fieldof detection.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which operation of the frame isresumed subsequent to repair of the broken strand and in whichapplication of said suction force is reestablished after lapse of apredetermined interval of time subsequent to such resumption ofoperation of the frame.

5. A method of controlling the operation of a roving frame consisting inapplying suction in a predetermined air channel, connecting said airchannel to a plurality of points of collection adjacent paths of travelof strands of roving, providing a light beam at one end of the channel,causing the frame to stop upon a substantially instantaneous variationin intensity of a portion of said light.

beam, and causing the frame to resume operation whereupon mechanimactuated by the light beam will remain inoperative until said light beamis again afiected.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which air movement in said channelceases upon the stopping of said frame and is'resumed subsequent to theresumption of operation of the frame.

7. In combination with a roving frame, a collecting header, means forproducing a suction in said header, suction tubes connected to saidheader, each suction tube having an open end positioned adjacent theline of travel of a strand of roving fed to a fiyer, means for providinga light beam in the header, means for stopping the operation of theframe upon the passage of a broken strand of roving through the lightbeam, means for restoring operation of the frame subsequent to repair ofthe broken strand, and means for controlling the production of saidsuction in the header so that suction will be restored in the headerafter the elapse of an interval of time subsequent to restoration ofoperation of the frame.

8. A system of control for a roving frame of the character describedincluding means for actuating a frame motor for driving the frame, astarter and a time delay device for actuating a fan motor subsequent tothe actuation of the frame motor, a register regulator for breaking thecircuits controlling both said motors, whereupon said rem'ster regulatoris restored to pre-operative condition, and means for causing saidregister regulator to operate upon a change in intensity of a beam oflight.

9. A system of control for a roving frame of the character describedincluding a motor starter in combination with a frame motor, a timedelay relay governing a starter for a fan motor, a register regulatoroperative responsive to the action of a photoelectric tube governed bychanges in intensity of a light beam, a control for a signal operativeupon breaking a circuit servingthe frame motor, and means for operatingboth motors in a series of steps separated by a desired time intervaland for controlling said motors simultaneously upon the operation of theregister regulator.

10. In combination with a roving frame, a suction duct, means forproducing a suction in said duct, suction tubes connected to said duct,each suction tube having its open end positioned adjacent the line oftravel of a strand of roving fed to a flyer, an electrical detectingdevice in the suction duct, means operative in response to the passageof a broken strand of roving in a line of travel past said device forstopping the operation of the frame, means for restoring operation ofthe frame subsequent to repair of the broken strand, and means forre-establishing production of suction in said duct, said last-namedmeans being controlled to re-establish the production of said suctionafter the elapse of a desired interval of time subsequent to restorationof operation of the frame.

ll. A method of controlling the operation of a rowing frame which,comprises feeding strands of rovings in paths lying ubstantially in acommon plane, entrapping any broken strand by exerting suction forcethereon adjacent its normal path of travel, and conveying said brokenstrand under said suction force into and through an electrical field ofdetection within the zone of said suction force at a point remote fromsaid path of travel of unbroken strands to cause operation of the frameand of said suction force to be interrupted in response to the passageof said broken strand through said field substantially immediately aftersaid strand enters said field.

12. In combination with a roving frame, a main collecting duct, meansfor producing a auction in said main collecting duct, a plurality ofsuction tubes connected to said main collecting duct, each suction tubehaving an open end positioned adjacent the line of travel of a strand ofroving, means for producing an electrical field of detection in the maincollecting duct, means for stopping the production of suction in allsaid ducts and for stopping the operation of the frame upon the passageof a broken strand of roving through said field of detection, and meansfor restoring the operation of the frame and the production of suctionin all said ducts after the broken strand is repaired.

13. In combination with a roving frame, a suction duct, means forproducing a suction in said duct, suction tubes connected to said duct,each suction tube having its open end positioned adjacent the line oftravel of a strand of roving, on electrical detecting device inthesuction duct, means operative in response to the passage of a brokenstrand of roving in a line of travel past said device for stopping theoperation of the frame, and means for restoring operation of the framesubsequent to repair of the broken strand.

14. A method of controlling the operation of a roving frame consistingin applying suction in a predetermined air channel, connecting mid airchannel to a plurality of points of collection adjacent path: of travelof strands of roving, providing an electrical field of detection in thechannel, causing the frame to stop upon the presence of a yarn strand insaid field of detection, and causing the frame to resume operationwhereupon mechanism actuated by the field of detection will remaininoperative until said field of detection is again afiected.

RelereneesCltedinthefileofthispatent Mansfield June 20, 1950

